watched every class from instruction to sparring.” With a pause to blink back tears at the memory, Claire continued, “When I was sixteen, we ran into some financial problems.” She noted Ian’s blank stare. “Money problems, a lack of coin?” Ian’s nod prompted the continuation. “We just couldn’t keep making the payments. It was kind of expensive.”
Her tale continued with Michael not letting her quit. Offering her a job after school, at the front desk, answering phones, greeting people, and sometimes explaining the classes to potential customers. The best part was all the classes she could take were included at no cost with the job.
Claire explained the job didn’t pay great and it was only twenty hours per week. With both her mom and her working, they still couldn’t cover their expenses. They were practical and sold the big house, the one next door to Brooke’s family, and moved to a smaller place in a different neighborhood.
After high school, Claire stayed and started full time. Michael’s wife had just had a baby, and she didn’t want to do his paperwork anymore. She wanted to stay home with baby Jake. Claire took over the office work and loved the accounting part. The numbers just made sense to her. She found ways to cut costs and help Michael finance an expansion. Plus, her training continued. She also took college classes, one or two at a time, at the community college. There was a focus there, too—accounting. She had found her calling.
This was a story Ian could follow. “How far did your training go, Claire?”
“I have two stripes on my black belt.”
The pride was obvious in Claire’s voice. “And ‘tis a fine thing?” Ian asked, not sure of what such a ranking would mean.
“Yes, that is a fine thing. Not many go that far. I never would have on my own. Michael kept pushing and refused to let me stop.” Claire’s eyes smiled at him as she remembered.
“Your Da would be proud, I am sure of it.” Then Ian asked out of curiosity, “What was your father’s name?”
“Michael.” Claire offered an explanation, “My father was Michael, and the name of the man I worked for was also named Michael. It’s a very common name.” She took Ian’s nod as understanding for the similarities.
A knock at the door interrupted their quiet conversation. Ian rose in a flash to stand in front of Claire, blocking her from sight with his sword in hand. The lass was hardly dressed to be viewed by any, and he had sworn to protect her. With a harsh tone, he asked, “What?” in response to the knock.
The door opened with a push from Thomas’ shoulders, his hands full with the tray of food and drink. “The meal you paid for is ready.” He didn’t hesitate while heading for the table, as an armed man wrapped in a sheet apparently gave the owner little cause for concern. Setting the tray down on the waiting table, Thomas turned to leave as quickly as he had entered. Stopping at the door and without turning to face Ian, he said, “Be smart this night and stay in the chamber. I can nay be responsible if you leave your wife untended.”
Relaxing the stance of a warrior poised for battle, Ian replied, “I have no intention of doing so. However, I appreciate the warning.” Ian wondered at the implication as Thomas left with no further comment.
“Why would he say something like that?” Claire asked.
Turning to face the question, Ian jested, “Mayhap Thomas believes I would leave you untended while seeking out one of his women.” Seeing the shock cross her features, Ian continued, “Or mayhap the man has some decency. ‘Tis not a place fit for a fine woman like yourself.” He left out the worst thought, wondering if Thomas knew more than he revealed.
The smell of warm food changed Ian’s thoughts. He motioned for Claire to rise and move her stool to the table, letting out a laugh at the sound of her stomach rumbling. Ian said, “Aye, I am hungry as well.” The meal was some kind of
Her tale continued with Michael not letting her quit. Offering her a job after school, at the front desk, answering phones, greeting people, and sometimes explaining the classes to potential customers. The best part was all the classes she could take were included at no cost with the job.
Claire explained the job didn’t pay great and it was only twenty hours per week. With both her mom and her working, they still couldn’t cover their expenses. They were practical and sold the big house, the one next door to Brooke’s family, and moved to a smaller place in a different neighborhood.
After high school, Claire stayed and started full time. Michael’s wife had just had a baby, and she didn’t want to do his paperwork anymore. She wanted to stay home with baby Jake. Claire took over the office work and loved the accounting part. The numbers just made sense to her. She found ways to cut costs and help Michael finance an expansion. Plus, her training continued. She also took college classes, one or two at a time, at the community college. There was a focus there, too—accounting. She had found her calling.
This was a story Ian could follow. “How far did your training go, Claire?”
“I have two stripes on my black belt.”
The pride was obvious in Claire’s voice. “And ‘tis a fine thing?” Ian asked, not sure of what such a ranking would mean.
“Yes, that is a fine thing. Not many go that far. I never would have on my own. Michael kept pushing and refused to let me stop.” Claire’s eyes smiled at him as she remembered.
“Your Da would be proud, I am sure of it.” Then Ian asked out of curiosity, “What was your father’s name?”
“Michael.” Claire offered an explanation, “My father was Michael, and the name of the man I worked for was also named Michael. It’s a very common name.” She took Ian’s nod as understanding for the similarities.
A knock at the door interrupted their quiet conversation. Ian rose in a flash to stand in front of Claire, blocking her from sight with his sword in hand. The lass was hardly dressed to be viewed by any, and he had sworn to protect her. With a harsh tone, he asked, “What?” in response to the knock.
The door opened with a push from Thomas’ shoulders, his hands full with the tray of food and drink. “The meal you paid for is ready.” He didn’t hesitate while heading for the table, as an armed man wrapped in a sheet apparently gave the owner little cause for concern. Setting the tray down on the waiting table, Thomas turned to leave as quickly as he had entered. Stopping at the door and without turning to face Ian, he said, “Be smart this night and stay in the chamber. I can nay be responsible if you leave your wife untended.”
Relaxing the stance of a warrior poised for battle, Ian replied, “I have no intention of doing so. However, I appreciate the warning.” Ian wondered at the implication as Thomas left with no further comment.
“Why would he say something like that?” Claire asked.
Turning to face the question, Ian jested, “Mayhap Thomas believes I would leave you untended while seeking out one of his women.” Seeing the shock cross her features, Ian continued, “Or mayhap the man has some decency. ‘Tis not a place fit for a fine woman like yourself.” He left out the worst thought, wondering if Thomas knew more than he revealed.
The smell of warm food changed Ian’s thoughts. He motioned for Claire to rise and move her stool to the table, letting out a laugh at the sound of her stomach rumbling. Ian said, “Aye, I am hungry as well.” The meal was some kind of
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